This article is specific to Microsoft Windows Vista.
Click below to change the operating system.

In the Control Panel window, click Adjust screen resolution under Appearance and Personalization.

Under Resolution, click and drag the horizontal slider control to change the screen resolution, and then click Apply.

If the new settings are compatible, the screen will reappear with the new settings.

Click Yes if you want to keep the new settings.

If new settings do not work, Windows® will attempt to revert back to the original settings automatically. If the video has become corrupted or an Out of Scan Range error occurs that cannot be automatically corrected, restart the computer. Press <F8> during startup, highlight Safe Mode from the Startup Menu, and press <Enter> to start the computer in Safe Mode. In Safe Mode, change the screen resolution back to the original settings and restart normally.

Adjusting the refresh rate is only recommended for cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitors, and is unnecessary for laptop LCD screens or flat-panel LCD monitors.

Close all open programs.

Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

In the Control Panel window, click Adjust screen resolution under Appearance and Personalization.

Click Advanced Settings, and then click the Monitor tab.

Click the Screen refresh rate drop-down menu under Monitor settings.

Select the refresh rate you want from the available options, and then click Apply.

When you are informed that Windows will now adjust the refresh rate, click OK. NOTE If a Refresh Rate warning appears stating that you have specified a custom refresh rate, click Yes.

If the new settings are compatible, the screen will reappear with the new settings.

Click Yes if you want to keep the new settings.

If new settings do not work, Windows® will attempt to revert back to the original settings automatically. If the video has become corrupted or an Out of Scan Range error occurs that cannot be automatically corrected, restart the computer. Press <F8> during startup, highlight Safe Mode from the Startup Menu, and press <Enter> to start the computer in Safe Mode. In Safe Mode, change the screen resolution back to the original settings and restart normally.